Site investigation work is to be carried out by amey-Black & Veatch (aBV) as part of ongoing work to alleviate flooding issues in Aberdeen's Merchant Quarter.

In order to confirm the feasibility of proposed work to improve the capacity of the sewer network in storm conditions, trial excavations need to be made at locations in Shore Brae, Market Street, Trinity Quay, Trinity Street, Carmelite Street and Guild Street.

Plans have been agreed with Aberdeen City Council to carry out the work in phases, in order to minimise disruption for local businesses and road users.

The phases of work and the traffic management arrangements associated with each are:

• Shore Brae from Sunday 27 January for approximately one week. Shore Brae will be closed to traffic between Trinity Quay and Shiprow during this work. Local diversions will be in place with temporary local access to Shiprow via Castle Street.

• Trinity Quay (West bound) from Sunday 27 January for approximately three weeks. During this section there will be lane closures and restrictions on the approach to the Market Street junction.

• Market Street from the evening of Friday 01 February for approximately three days. This work will involve 24 hour working over the weekend. There will be lane closures and restrictions in place at the junction of Market Street and Trinity Quay, with work to be completed and the road surface reinstated by 6am on Monday 04 February. While every effort will be made to complete work within a single weekend, a further weekend of work will be scheduled if necessary to ensure the road is re-opened on Monday morning.

-- Advertisement --

• Trinity Street from Monday 40 February for approximately one week. Both Trinity Street and Carmelite Lane will be closed to traffic during this work. Local diversions will be in place.

• Carmelite Street and Guild Street from Saturday 23 February for approximately one week. During this phase, there will be various lane closures in Carmelite Street (including no left turn on to Guild Street) and in Guild Street (East bound) towards Market Street; as well as a closure in Guild Street on Saturday and Sunday.  Again local diversions will be in place during this work.

aBV Project Manager Bruce Macgregor said: "The planned investigation work is necessary so that we can plan future improvements for an important area of the city. We need to make sure we identify the right solution to reduce the risk of flooding for everyone - and understand potential challenges as far as we can at this stage.

"We appreciate that any work in this area will cause disruption for local businesses, residents and road users. In consultation with the City Council, we have tried to avoid the busiest times of year and to phase the work to minimise the impact on traffic as far as possible.

"Over the first weekend in February, we will be working around the clock at the junction of Market Street and Trinity Quay. Our priority will be to make sure the junction is re-opened for Monday morning, even if we need to plan further work for another suitable weekend to complete our investigations."

Scottish Water Corporate Affairs Manager Gavin Steel said: "Our local team works continually to keep the sewers operating as effectively as possible for customers. The investment we are preparing is needed to reduce the risk of storm flooding on a long term basis, so that the city's waste water network can continue to serve customers and protect the local environment in years to come.

"We would like thank customers for their patience while this essential work takes place. We would encourage road users to plan their journeys and allow some extra time where possible."